The 1969 Curaçao uprising resulted in a collapse of the government.[5] On 12 December 1969, Rozendal was appointed Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister.[6] On 12 February 1971, he was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary.[7][8] and served until 1 December 1975.[9] In 1973, he became chairperson of the Democratic Party.[2]
A major issue for the 1977 elections was the status aparte for Aruba which would make the island a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and no longer subordinate to Curaçao.[5] The Democratic Party was opposed to a special status,[10] and won a clear victory in the elections.[11] On 14 October 1977, Rozendal became Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles.[7] His tenure was marred by demonstrations and riots in Aruba organised by Betico Croes.[12] Rozendal turned in his resignation effective 6 July 1979.[7][13] On 1 January 1986, Aruba became a constituent country.[12]
Rozendal retired from politics and became an editor and a journalist.[14] He would return to the Estates between 1990 and 1994.[7]
On 10 June 2003, Rozendal died in Willemstad, Curaçao at the age of 74.[14]
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